Amusement device



Patented Mar. 29, 192?. 1,622,845

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT S. BOSS, F DALLAS, TEXAS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed July 30, 1926. Serial No. 125,884.

This invention relates to amusement dedrawings, attention is primarily directed vices, and it refe s particularly to that type to Figures 1 and 2, clearly showing that the of machine controlled by the insertion of a housing is composed of telescopic sections the coin or token and its objects are primarily lower of which is indicated by the character 6 to test the skill and markn'iansl'iip of the 1, the enclosed section bearing reference operator, and further, to provide a convencharacter 2, while the upper or telescoping iently pivoted toy pistol of dependable acsection will be referred to by the character 3. curacy for this purpose, in which the coin In describing this latter section, it will be or token is inserted, the latter being forcibly noted in Figure 1 that the same is com 65 ejected from the piston to overturn a target. structed to represent a miniature cottage,

A further object of the invention resides however, such representation is merely fanci-' in the provision of a machine of the charful and has no bearing upon the operation aeter designated provided with a reciprocatof the machine itself. The top of the secing mechanism adapted to return the coin tlon 3 is composed of panels at of transparat each time the target is hit, and to deposit ent material, and is provided on its sides a predetermined quantity of the commodity With windows 5, while at the end of the contained within the machine at a point consection, a bracket 6 is mounted to provide a venient to the operator at each time the tarsupport for the piston 7, to which reference get is missed. will be later made. 7

The invention further includes a novel ar- To obtain a clear exampleof the manner rangement by which its structural parts may in which the sections are collectively mount? be collectively joined together by a common ed for operation, attention is directed to l ki means, Flg ures 2 and 3, the enclosed sect-ion 2 not it-1 th f t bj t i i w, the being included in the latter figure. It will 25 invention has particular reference to certain be seen in this figure that the lower section lesser objects which will disclose themselves 1 Carries the cash drawer 8, provided with a as the description proceeds, as well as its 100k 9, and has attached adjacent to the lock, salient features of construction and arrangea rod 10 leading to the inner end of the ment of parts, by which the said objects are drawer and passing through an eyelet 11, se-

30 attained, and which will be manifested in the t d to an upwardly extending arm 12, following, detail description and illustrated pivoted at a near the base of the section 1. in the accompanying drawings wherein: he upper end of this arm is adapted to Figure l is a perspective view of an amusef IfIn a catch to engage the hinged top 0* ment device constructed according to the U1 upper section 3 when in proper opera- 35 present i ti & tlve position, as shown. The arm 12 is held Figure 2 is a side elevational view in lon- 1n locked position by the spring 13 until the gitudinal cross-section, illustrating the coin wer 8 1s withdrawn to such an extent d dit passageways th i as to engage the enlarged head I) on the rod Figure 3 is likewise asectional elevational 0 fvl h the eyelet 11, whereupon the arm -10 v ew of the arrange nent which the Sec- 12 LS released, permitting the tOP Of the tions are collectively locked together. fiOn 3 to be opened.

Figure 4'. is a detail view of the operative The enclosed. section 2 is independent h i wlth respect to the other sections, and may Fi 5 i a l i f Fi 4, be removed upon removal of the top section,

Figure 6 represents a side elevational view and although not illustrated individually of the preferred form of catapult or pistol may be clearly discerned in Figur employed with the amusement device and mg a complete assembly. Practically all. of embodied in the invention. the operative elements of the machine are Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6, carried by the enclosed section 2, especially parts being removed to more comprehensivee recipro ng p h n m {01? ly disclose its operation. pensmg the commodity, referred to pres- Figure 8 is a detail top view of the coin' ently in detail. releasing arrangement within the pistol, and Carried upon the top of the section 2 are Figure 9 is a side view of the said re plates 14: provlded wlth target holes 15 in leasing arrangement. direct alinement with the target 16 of any Continuing now more in detail with the desirable form, the latter being pivoted at 17 in such a. manner as to be readily overturned when struck by an object ejected by the catapult 7.

Directly below the plates l t, a trough 18 is provided, see Figure 2, which opens into a glass chute 19 into which coins or tokens fall when the target 16 is missed. A removable trough 20 covers an opening 21 to achamber 22 in which the commodity is contained, and is in Figure 2 shown to be slightly slid forward preparatory to filling the said compartment with merchandise.

The merchandise, which in the present case is preferably chewing gum balls 23 in Figure at, rests upon another trough 2a and rolling down the longitudinally movable incline 25, is intercepted by the gate 26, preparatory to entering the chute 27, when the mechanism is actuated by a proper medium such as a coin.

As previously stated, when the proper coin is catapulted into the casing and strikes the target 16, the coin is returned, the .latter falling down the incline 28, see Figure 2, upon actuation of the lever 29. and is caught in a suitable receptacle on the opposite side of the machine, accessible to the operator, while on the other hand, should the target 16 be missed, the coin 30 will fall into the chute 19 intermediate one of the plates 14:, to be carried down the chute 19 to a position intermediate the cross head 31, and the end of a forwardly extending link 32, the latter having operative connection with the gate 26, especially apparent in Figures 4 and 5.

It will be observed that the lever 29, protruding through an opening at the front of the machine, is connected to a pivoted frame 33, which, in turn, has pivoted thereto, links 34, extending rearwardly and through which the cross head 31 is passed. Assuming that the target has been missed and the coin lies in the position shown in Figure i, a pull upon the lever 29 will obviously urge the coin 3O forward, which action will of course force the link 32 forward by the interlocking position of the coin, against the tension of the spring 35, connected to the U- shaped link 36, which in turn is pivoted to the frame The coin, upon registering with the slot 36, will fall into the cash drawer 8.

It has been previously statedthat the incline 25 is movable, this feature is essential, for the purpose of providing a stop for the commodity 23, insuring only the ejection of a predetermined quantity thereof. This stop is indicated at 37 in Figure 4 and operates co-ordinately with the movement of the links being connected therewith at 38. Therefore, it will be seen that unless an in terlocking coin is interposed between the crosshead 31 and link end 32, it is impossible to move the gate 26 to open position, since this link controls the door through the pivoted arm 39, but in either case, the stop 37 moves to intercept the commodity after the predetermined quantity has fallen onto the gate 26, immediately before the latter opens. The short slot to in the forward end of the link 32 at its connection with the arm 39 enables the stop 37 to gain a slight movement forward before the said link moves to open the gate 26.

Returning now to the interconnection between the target 16 and lever 29, it will be observed in Figure 2 especially that an arm il is provided, which is connected by a link 42 to a short shaft 43. At each time the lever 29 is pulled to effect longitudinal movement of the side links ti l, the shaft a3 is rotated slightly by the engagement of the cross head 31 with a depending tongue 44: connected to the sha t, whicl action, of course, moves the arm il slightly upward, where it engages with a projecting arm a5 af'ried to the target 16, see Figure 2. The target 16 is thus lifted to upright position at each time it is displaced by the contact of a coin, simply by a pull upon the lever 29, this action may be accon'iplished without the insertion of a coin, but it requires the coin to form an interlocking medium between the merchandise ejecting mechanism and the lever 29.

As a precaution against illegitimate pilfering of the machine, by tilting and actuating the lever 29, an shaped member 46 pivoted at t? to the casing-48 is provided, equipped with a weight 49, which, when the entire machine is tilted forward, intercepts forward movement of the link 32 by engagement with the protruding pin 50, forn'iing the pivotal connection between the link and gate arm 39. See Figure 4 especially. It will be understood that under normal conditions, the link 32 and its associated elements are held under tension of the spring 35, although not directly connected therewith, and such tension is released when the machine is tilted and the lever 29 actuated, its own weight causing it to move forward and consequently opening the gate 26 to release the merchandise contents of the machine.

Referring now particularly to the catapult or pistol previously referred to and indicated by the el'iaracter 7, attention is directed exclusively to Figures 6 lo 9 inclusive, in which the pistol is shown as1cn1- bled and in parts. The outer frame 51 continues completely around the device. includ: ing the stock 52. defining the trigger comartment The sides 5% are applied by screws 55 to the magazine 56 referred to presently in detail.

The magazine 56, as it will be herein termed, is composed of parts. some of which are movable while others, including the surlit) rounding brace to which the sides 54 are secured, are stationary. The inner chamber 57 is rigid with the said surrounding brace, and receives the coin 30 through the slot 58 sec Fi 'ures 6 and 7. The coin 30' upon entering the slot 58, falls in front of a lug 59, which is integral with a plunger 60, which, as apparent in Figures 6 and 7, is on the opposite side of the brace from the position illustrated. This lug protrudes into the coin chamber 57 through a slot 61 therein, and is thus enabled to contact with the coin 30. bee Figure 8.

The plunger 60, is normally maintained in the position shown, by a coil spring 62 atlixed thereto and to the brace at the muzzle end of the pistol 7. Now in order to forcibly eject the coin 30 through the forward slot 63 in the muzzle, it is first required to pull the coin 30 rearwardly, which of course will retract the plunger 60 against the action of the spring 62, the lug 59 riding in the slot 61. This is accomplished by drawing back the member 64, against the action of a second spring 65, see Figure 9 especially. This member 64 is so formed as to define an integral trigger 66, slidable in the trigger compartment 53, and is yieldingly held by the spring 65 and rod 67, normally in the position shown in Figure 6, the said rod being held stationary by reason of its securement to the said brace. At the rear end of the pistol, and as particularly apparent in Figures 6 and 7, a lug 68 is aifixed over the slot 61, which is co-operable with the lug 69, situated upon a piece 70, see Figure 9, whereby, when the coin 30, is in the position shown in Figure 6, and the trigger 66 pulled, the lug 69 will carry the coin, as well as the plunger 60 rearwardly, since the coin is urged between the two lugs 59 and 69. Pull upon the trigger 66 is continued against the action of springs 62 and 65, until the piece 70 rides upon the lug 68, at which time the lug 69 releases the coin 30, and the tension upon the spring 62 has become such that the coin is catapulted through the magazine inner chamber 57, and out at the slot 63, and with considerable accuracy enters through the aperture 71, of the upper section 3 of the amusement device, to which the pistol is pivoted by bracket 6.

In describing the operation of the invention assembled for operation as shown in Figure 1, a coin 30 of a predetermined. denomination. is inserted into the slot 58 in the pistol 7, to fall in front of lug 59. Aim is taken through apertures 15 in spaced plates 14-, at the target 16, and the trigger 66 is pulled. The coin is thus forcibly ejected through the slot 63 in the muzzle of the pistol, and if the aim is accurate, and the target 16 is turned to the position shown in Figure 2, the coin will of course fall and be caught by the lower end of the target,

at a, where it is held until the lever 29 is pulled. This latter action not only releases the coin permitting it to descend the incline 28, into a suitable receptacle accessible to the operator, but likewise through links 34, croijs head 31, depending arm 44 and link 42, the arm 41 is urged upwardly to replace the target for another operation with the same coin, as previously. I

However, should the coin miss its mark and fall into the trough 18, the coin will gravitate down the chute 19, and findits place intermediate the cross head 31 and the ends of the links 32, which, as apparent in Figure 5, a plan View, are spread to enclose either side of the mechanism. The lever 29 is pulled as before, the coin 30 forming an interlocking medium for the links 34 and 32, the latter are therefore actuated, by the pressure of the coin thereagainst.

It is understood that the incline 25 upon which'the commodity 23 reposes, co-ordinates inmovement with each operation of the lever 29, and in so doing, the stop 37 is moved to intercept the merchandise after a predetermined amount is deposited upon the gate 26, preparatory to being ejected into the chute 27.

When the links 32 are actuated, as above pointed out, the lever 39, is pivoted, which slides the gate 26 from over the opening, permitting the merchandise to be released. The lever 29 is then returned by the action of the spring 35 to its original position, which, likewise returns the links 34 to their original position, due to the pivoted connection be tween these links and the lever frame 33. The links 32 are engaged by the depending lug 72, see Figure 4, and are thus carried back to original operative position.

A particularly important feature of the invention resides in the means provided to prevent accumulation of coins in the chute 19, resulting possibly in jamming and rendering the machine inoperative. In this regard, attention is particularly directed to Figure 4 of the drawings, in which figure, as previously pointed out, one of the coins 30 is in a position preparatory to effecting operation of the merchandise releasing mechanism; When the coin is in such position and assuming that another coin is projected into the machine without moving the lever 29 to release the former coin, the latter coin falls against the first coin, thence between the links 32 and through the slot 36 into the drawer 8, without interference in any respect by the coin already in the machine.

It is obvious that some variation as to form and arrangement of parts is possible in the invention, and while the preferred embodiment is described and illustrated herein, it should be understood that these mentioned modifications may be resorted to if desired, without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a sectional cabinet including an encased section, the latter having a trough in its top to define a compartment having a token chute; a separated compartment formed in alinement with said first compartment having an exterior opening; a tiltable target mounted in said latter compartment and arranged to restrict said opening when tilted; means to project a token into an indeterminate one of said compartments; a merchandise receptacle in said encased section provided with an inclined chute having an opening; a closure for said opening; an operating handle protruding exteriorly of said cabinet having co-operable connection with said target; means to permit the projected token to travel down said chute to lock said closure and operating lever in operative relationship to sheet release of a quantity of said merchandise when said lever is actuated, and means to control the quantity of merchandise so released.

2. An amusement device including a sectional cabinet, one section thereof being encased; a token projecting apparatus loosely pivoted at one end of the outer section; compart ments arranged in the top of said encased section; a tiltable target mounted in one of said compartments at a point remote from said token projector, and having a token chute; a token chute depending from the other compartments; an exterior operating lever operatively connected with said target; a merchandise receptacle in said encased compartment having a movable chute operatively connected with said operating lever; a closure for said chute; operating links carried by said closure; means to permit a token to travel down said chute and form an interlocking medium between said closure operating links and operating lever; and means to predetermine the quantity of merchandise released from said mechandisc chute upon movement of said operating lever.

An amusement device including a sec tional cabinet, one section thereof being encased; coinpartments formed in the top of said latter section; separate token chutes leading from said compartments; a tiltable target mounted in one of said compartments and restricting its chute when tilted; a token projecting means loosely pivoted in alinement with said con'ipartments and situated at a remote point with respect to said target; a merchandise receptacle carried by said oncased section having a movable inclined chute; a closure therefor, operating links carried by said closure, an operating handle extending eXteriorly of said cabinet and having operable connections with said target; means to operably connect said closure operating links and operating handle by a token to open said merchandise chute and release a quantity of merchandise, and means to control the quantity of merchandise so released.

d. An amusement device including with a sectional cabinet having a commodity receptacle therein provided with a chute; a clo' sure for said chute; a target mounted above said receptacle arranged to be tilted by a token projected thereagainst; means pivoted exteriorly of said cabinet for projecting said token; separate token chutes in said cabinot one of which is provided with an exte rior opening; an operating handle portruding exteriorly of said cabinet having operative connection with said target; means to permit atoken projected by said projecting means to travel down one of said chutes and form an operative connection between said closure and operating handle to permit release of merchandise from said receptacle, and means to control the quantity of merchandise thereby released.

5. An amusement device including with a cabinet having an opening at one end and alined interior compartments having separate token chutes; atiltable target mounted at a point remote from said opening; and covering one of said chutes when tilted; an operating handle having operable commotion with said target to reset the same; means for projecting tokens into one of said compartments in a line with said target; a merchandise container also in. said cabinet having a chute; a closure for said chute, means to receive a token projected into said cabinet to form an interlocking connect-ion between said closure and operating handle to effect release of merchandise from said container upon movement of said handle; and means operable with said handle to govern the quantity of merchandise so released.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

ALBERT Ross. 

